Video: Silver Airways Making Official Plans to Leave Tupelo and Other Cities

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TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) —  Silver Airways has announced plans to pull out of several Mississippi markets, including Tupelo. Silver airways has provided the US Department of Transportation with a 90 day notice of its intent to discontinue service between Atlanta and Tupelo. In a press release, company officials cited new federal regulations that have led to a nationwide shortage of regional airline pilots, along with lower than expected passenger boardings. Tupelo Regional Airport officials point out that there will still be air service until another carrier is found.

“Department of Transportation will issue what we call a hold in order, same thing they did with Mesaba Airlines, that will be followed with a request for bids for a replacement carrier for the airports in Mississippi,” said Josh Abramson of the Tupelo Regional Airport. “Once those are due there’s some lead up time, replacement airline will have to submit bid, DOT selects a carrier.”

He says that process will take at least 120 days.  Silver Airways is also pulling out of Muscle Shoals, Greenville, Laurel and Meridian.